Gutierrez homers twice in Vero Beach's opener

TCPalm.com By staff report April 4, 2003

Dodgers outfielder Franklin Gutierrez circles the bases three times in a season-opening victory ... but hits only one ball over the fence.

DAYTONA BEACH — Franklin Gutierrez couldn't have had a more memorable season opener for the Vero Beach Dodgers.

Gutierrez, a 20-year-old outfielder from Venezuela, hit two home runs — one inside-the-park — and also circled the bases on his own single as the Dodgers defeated the Daytona Cubs 5-1.

Four Vero Beach pitchers combined on a four-hitter and shut the Cubs out until a ninth-inning home run.

The fun began for Gutierrez when he singled Ronte Langs to third in the third inning, which began with Vero Beach already ahead 1-0.

Langs scored on the play when Daytona left fielder Aron Weston's throw home skipped off the catcher and up the first-base line.

First baseman Micah Hoffpauir fielded the ball and tried to throw Gutierrez out attempting to take third. His throw was wild, too, allowing Gutierrez to score.

Gutierrez circled the bases again in the fifth after both Weston and Cubs center fielder Mike Mallory dove and missed his line drive into left-center. He hit his other home run in the eighth, over the fence in left-center, likewise a solo shot.

Dodgers starting pitcher Pilkington, a 20-year-old right-hander from California, allowed three hits in five innings. Pilkington was 8-4 in the Class A South Atlantic League last year and 2-1 with Vero Beach. Eric Hull and Brian Steffek extended the shutout until the ninth, when Dimas Reina gave up a solo home run.

Edwin Bellorin and Thomari Story-Hardin had two hits each for the Dodgers.

Vero Beach plays at Daytona Beach again tonight before opening its home schedule Saturday.